The Gift That Grows With You

Office FaithCC
Jun 20
4 min read

Imagine receiving the most powerful tool imaginable—capable of building, shaping, strengthening, and restoring—and then leaving it in the box. You admire it. You talk about it. You even tell others they should get one. But you never actually unwrap it and use it.

That, Peter says, is what many of us do with grace.

In 2 Peter 1:5–11, we’re reminded that salvation is not the finish line of faith—it’s the starting line of transformation. God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing Christ (v. 3). But what we do with that gift matters deeply. Not for our salvation—but for our growth, our assurance, our effectiveness, and even the joy of our future welcome into eternity.

This passage is a call to pick the gift back up. To unwrap it. To use it. And to let it change everything.

Growing Isn’t Optional—It’s the Point

Peter urges believers to “make every effort” to add seven qualities to their faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love (vv. 5–7). This isn’t a random list—it’s a portrait of Christlikeness. Each quality builds on the last, forming the kind of character that reflects Jesus to the world.

But what’s striking isn’t just the list—it’s the urgency.

“Make every effort.”

Peter doesn’t say, “If you feel like it.” He says, “Don’t coast. Don’t drift. Grow.” That’s not legalism. That’s love. Effort doesn’t earn grace—but it does express it. “Grace doesn’t remove effort,” as one line puts it. “It inspires it.”

The danger isn’t failure—it’s forgetfulness. In verse 9, Peter says the one who lacks these qualities is “nearsighted and blind,” forgetting that he has been cleansed from past sins. The word Peter uses for nearsighted is myopazō, from which we get “myopia.” It’s spiritual short-sightedness—living day to day, task to task, without eternal vision.

How does that happen?

We forget who we are. We forget what Christ has done. We forget we’ve been washed, adopted, and called. And when we forget, we stop growing. Not because grace has failed—but because we’ve stopped drawing from its power.

Fruit Isn’t the Root—but It Is the Evidence

Peter makes an important distinction. Our salvation is based on Christ’s work, not ours. As Paul says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

But Peter still says, “Make your calling and election sure” (v. 10). Not because God’s love is in question—but because growth confirms identity.

“Fruit is never the root of salvation—but it can be the evidence.”

We don’t look at fruit to find salvation. We look at Jesus. But we do examine our lives to see if we’re walking in fellowship and obedience. The Bible regularly calls believers to assess their walk—not to question whether they’re in the family, but to ask if they’re living like it.

That’s what Peter is after.

He’s not urging performance. He’s urging alignment. Don’t let your life contradict your identity. Let your habits reflect your hope. Let your character point to your calling.

God Doesn’t Promise You Won’t Trip—He Promises You Won’t Fall Away

Peter’s next promise is stunning: “If you do these things, you will never fall” (v. 10). That’s not a guarantee of perfection—it’s a promise of perseverance.

Peter isn’t naive. He knows believers sin. He did—dramatically. He denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly over it. So when he says, “you won’t fall,” he’s not talking about stumbling. He’s talking about staying the course. Not veering off the path. Not disappearing into the spiritual ditch.

“If you’re growing—you’re not falling away.”

Growth steadies your steps. It strengthens your resolve. It deepens your confidence. Not because you’re perfect—but because you’re moving forward with Christ.

There’s a Welcome Waiting for You

Verse 11 paints a breathtaking picture: “You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Peter doesn’t just say you’ll be saved. He says you’ll be welcomed richly.

Not like someone sneaking in under the wire. Not like a sailor clinging to the wreckage. But like a runner crossing the finish line. A child coming home. A servant celebrated for using what he was given.

“You don’t earn that welcome. You receive it—because you walked the path of grace, all the way home.”

Jesus described this kind of welcome in His parables. Faithful servants aren’t just allowed in—they’re applauded. “Well done,” the Master says. “Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

Stephen saw it firsthand. As he was dying, he looked up and saw Jesus standing to welcome him home (Acts 7:56). The King of Glory, on His feet, ready to receive His servant.

That’s the kind of finish Peter is calling us toward.